In the not so distant future, Theodore, a lonely writer, purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every need. To Theodore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love story blends science fiction and romance in a sweet tale that explores the nature of love and the ways that technology isolates and connects us all.
Writing
Jonze's script aches with specificity and future-nostalgia
Production
L.A. as pastel dreamscape—no cars, all feeling
Acting
Phoenix's face carrying entire scenes alone with OS1
Director
Spike Jonze
Joaquin Phoenix
Theodore
Scarlett Johansson
Samantha (voice)
Lynn Adrianna
Letter Writer #1
Lisa Renee Pitts
Letter Writer #2
Gabe Gomez
Letter Writer #3
Chris Pratt
Paul
Artt Butler
Text Voice (voice)
May Lindstrom
Sexy Pregnant TV Star
Rooney Mara
Catherine
Bill Hader
Chat Room Friend #2 (voice)
Kristen Wiig
SexyKitten (voice)
Brian D. Johnson
OS1 Commercial Lead
Amy Adams
Amy
Matt Letscher
Charles
Spike Jonze
Alien Child (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Spike Jonze wrote this after his divorce from Sofia Coppola; many read it as his cinematic apology letter.
Theodore's job—writing other people's personal letters—predicted our entire gig-economy emotional outsourcing era.
US
